But the ex-Sunderland and Celtic manager insists he has been impressed by Keane in the early days of their partnership.

“Who knows how it may go in the next two years but I never saw this being a problem at all,” O’Neill told Sunday Exclusive. “Of course it was my decision to take Roy on. It might have been a bit of a surprise to the FAI when I said that is what I wanted to do but I was given the go ahead to do so.

“Roy has been out of the game since his last job at Ipswich but I know he is very keen. You always see him at matches, regardless of whether he is there in a role.

“I can’t say for one minute that I know him fantastically well but the times we have met up with him I’ve been impressed with his enthusiasm and his willingness to work.”